Patricia’s Father Character Analysis

Though dead for about half a century when the novel begins, Patricia’s father remains a positive, emotional memory for Patricia Wiley. She believes him to have been a good, hardworking, friendly man, though his generous love toward her may have left her naïve and unprepared for life’s cruel realities. He hired Richard Wiley to manage his farm but disapproved of Richard’s marriage to Patricia, agreeing to it only when he learned Patricia was pregnant. He gave Patricia the farm where she and Richard have spent their marriage as a wedding present.